Austentatious in Explore the Many Genres of Jane Austen Spinoffs 2012 Reading Challenge

Jan 20, 2012 Charlene rated it it was amazing

Nicola who is the main character in this story, is an engineer and a very goal oriented person. She has planned her life since she was thirteen! Then she stumbles on a journal in an antiques store and all her life plans start to go out the door. This journal is a little magical and she dubs it fairygod mother Jane. The journal guides her by using Nic's words that she writes in the journal. At first Nic doesn't want to believe that the journal is doing this, but she enlists her mentee who encourg ...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Shanna rated it it was amazing

"Slightly envious, I splayed my fingers over the bumpy back leather cover and had even gone so far as to dip my unpolished, trimmed-short fingernail into the tiny keyhole. I'd instantly felt an unexpected little zing that had sent goosebumps chasing each other up my arms and nerves spiraling down like a roller coaster into the pit of my stomach. Startled, I jumped back, jostling my full-to-the-brim cup and sending a cascade of warm, spiced tea down onto the little book, staining the pages, buckl ...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Kate Maxwell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemp, recommend, favorites, own, jane-austen-esque, arc

This clever, witty, and quick-paced novel was a joy to read! Nicola James, an engineer in Austin, Texas, created a Life Plan when she was 13 years old, and was still (begrudgingly?) sticking to it when she came across a magical journal that led her down a path least expected. I don’t think I have laughed out loud with any book as much as I did with Austentatious!

Alyssa Goodnight has created a character so human and so funny, that I instantly fell in love with her and wanted her to be my new best ...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Candy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austenesque

Austentatious is an awesome story!! What happens when a nerdy engineer meets a HOT Scottish musician? Throw a magical journal into the mix and life can get a little out of control! All of which makes a humorous story that I couldn’t put down!

The day Nicola James begins writing in an antique journal, her "Life Plan" begins to unravel. Her entries disappear only to be replaced with tidbits of advice on life and romance. Very skeptical, Nic tries to ignore the advice “Fairy Jane” is giving her beca ...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Jakki rated it it was amazing

Austentatious! What a fun, hot novel! I was swept up in a whirlwind of kooky advice, humorous characters and steamy romance.

When Nicola James beings writing in an antique-looking diary, her life begins to change. Once her journal begins writing back, she must decide if she is going to cling to normalcy, predictability, and her life plan, or throw caution to the wind and cross over to the weird side. After all, the unofficial motto of her hometown, Austin, Texas, is “Keep Austin Weird.” And who Austentatious! What a fun, hot novel! I was swept up in a whirlwind of kooky advice, humorous characters and steamy romance.

When Nicola James beings writing in an antique-looking diary, her life begins to change. Once her journal begins writing back, she must decide if she is going to cling to normalcy, predictability, and her life plan, or throw caution to the wind and cross over to the weird side. After all, the unofficial motto of her hometown, Austin, Texas, is “Keep Austin Weird.” And who knows, maybe she will finally get her “weird” t-shirt.

Helping Nicola along her journey are her friends, who truly added to the exuberance and humor of the story. For starters, there are Nic’s neighbors, Leslie and Laura. Leslie’s salacious humor and superfluous use of clichés garnered many laughs and shakes of the head accompanied by eye rolls. Throw in Nic’s mentee Bec, best friend Gabe, and co-worker Brett, and the smiles and laughs abound. Finally, there is Sean MacInnes with his wealth of innuendoes and one-liners, guaranteed to make any girl blush.

I enjoyed watching Nic’s inner struggle as her life is turned upside down by Fairy Jane’s wisdom. Here, Nic must decide if she should pursue the logical and sensible Brett, who conveniently fits into her life plan, or take a chance on the charming and confident Sean MacInnes, who may just be another Henry Crawford.

Speaking of men. Oh! My! Word! Can Alyssa Goodnight write some steamy and sexy scenes?! We’re talking heart beating out of my chest, palms getting sweaty, feeling a little hot reaction here (and nothing physical has even happened). I was so wrapped up in the romance and action of the book that I seriously felt I was the one being asked out on a first date. All of those heart-fluttering emotions a girl feels at this moment, the excitement, the anticipation, the uncertainty, came rushing back. I may have even swooned a time or two!

Not only does Goodnight write hot characters and fully engage my passion, but she is overall a talented writer. The literary elements were well-delivered, yet not overdone. Her alliterative words add to the humor, and she takes an analogy or two and carries them through the entire plot, further solidifying those connections. I enjoyed seeing the connection between the analogies and events in the book as it helped me to further understand what the characters were experiencing.

Austentatious was the first book by Alyssa Goodnight that I read, and it will certainly not be my last! I look forward to reading her other novel, Unladylike Pursuits.
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Apr 07, 2012 Rachel rated it liked it

Shelves: like-austen

I'd heard a lot about this one--I thought what I heard was positive.
The book was fine. Predictable, not much conflict. The main character was a little bit annoying. I particularly disliked having the heroine tell me how her story was like Pride and Prejudice, If it was, I wouldn't need to be told. the heroine also told us how she didn't want to do anything and how skeptical she was, I would prefer to be shown the characters' actions, not told everything.
The book wasn't awful, it wasn't amazing. ...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Maria Grazia rated it really liked it

Shelves: austen-inspired, read-in-2012

Modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice or Austen-inspired modern romance. Call it as you like it better, but Austentatious is a brilliant new story among the host of Austenesque reads. You'll be as puzzled as Nicola at experiencing her unbelievable meeting with "Fairy Jane" through her journal. Nicola is as sensible as Elinor Dashwood, but she is compelled to believe in passionate love like Marianne once she meets Sean Mac Innes. Fortunately, her Sean is not the Willoughby-type. He's more a mod ...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Felicia (felso) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own, kindle

This is truly a fun read! Literally laughed out loud! The story takes place in Austin, Texas (with a nice shout out to my home town New Braunfels; I could definitely picture the sites and could feel the the Austin/Austen weirdness!

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